Is March Madness A Myth?
By Leslie Linsley
Author of “Nantucket Island Living” (Monicelli)
March 2026
Is March Madness A Myth?
March is an optimistic month. March is a bridge from winter to spring. March gives us time to do house projects, refresh bedrooms, air out musty closets, and fix what needs to be done to guarantee a relaxed spring/summer season. A well-loved home does not wake abruptly — it unfolds. Use this month wisely so you won’t be burdened with an undone “to do list” when the warm weather arrives. I took a baby step and bought new garden gloves for a basket I intend to fill with hand tools.
Last fall the Nantucket Garden Club initiated a community wide project to plant 50,000 daffodil bulbs along the Milestone Rd. Many local businesses contributed to this amazing project and Dave Champoux’s crew planted the bulbs as he has done since the late ‘70’s. It always amazes me how, year after year the daffodils arrive exactly on time for the antique car parade, the first celebration of the season.
March is the month for intention. There’s still time to paint that room you didn’t get to last year, and for dealing with small annoying repairs before our attention is pulled outdoors. March marches out quickly so make the most of it. My daughter is painting a small home office with Benjamin Moore’s classic Cedar Key. It’s my go-to color for a sophisticated, neutral with a touch of gray that adds character. It always looks current and provides a good background for modern or traditional furniture as well as artwork. It’s stood the test of time for me. I save experimentation with bold colors for my powder room, a constant source of creative expression.
Make a good impression with clever upgrades. Trending now is the use of boat hardware, like rope cleats for kitchen cabinet and drawer pulls. This easy DIY project makes a clever impact with an island vibe. For practical and good-looking accents in the kitchen, mudroom, or bathroom, strategically hang gold or silver hooks in the shape of scallop shells, anchors, or a whimsical brass mermaid, found in the tool department. Buying the best quality bath towels is a good investment for a quick refresh. They perform well, last longer, provide a practical and good- looking way to add color and richness in the bathroom – and they exude luxury. This season Sferra, Robshaw and Matouk all introduce the subtlest. most appealing colors for bed and bath. Because a powder room is often used by guests it’s perfect for self-expression. Mine is a revolving art and photo gallery, with a narrow shelf for displaying knickknacks, shells and beach stones. The paint color is Farrow & Ball’s Elephant’s Breath. This dark shade of gray is unexpected and a good background for the framed artwork. The room is further enlivened with burnt orange hand towels that can be changed with the seasons. Dramatize a powder room with wallpaper and, for a cocoon-like ambience, cover the ceiling as well as walls. Don’t limit yourself to small prints. I once used a large floral print paper (ala designer Mario Buatto’s over-sized cottage roses). It was sensational. Home Furnishings has a vast array of wallpaper samples. While in the department you can’t overlook the stack of stunning area carpets, meticulously curated by buyer Mike Flanigan. Without doing another thing, these finely, handcrafted carpets absolutely elevate the importance of a room.
A well-loved home awakens slowly as we become aware of what’s needed to maintain a Nantucket lifestyle. Wisely parcel out time in March to get ahead of the coming season. Tiptoe into the “almost springtime” month with small repairs and replacements. Last fall I added a second outdoor shower. It was a small luxury that should provide big returns this summer when guests arrive. Reorganizing my mudroom shelves is an ongoing project with the final goal of “perfection.” This means a concerted trip to Housewares for the sole purpose of assessing all the practical items available for organizing everything neatly, and making things you use most often, easily accessible. Think about your family’s activities and design a storage area accordingly. My other daughter had a cabinet designed to fit an area on their screened-in porch to hold beach gear so it never gets dragged through the house. Look for unused or underused space for specific storage. For example, reclaim one side of a coat closet for built-in shelves to hold outdoor games, beach towels, etc. Put hooks on the backs of doors.
If you still believe in March madness there’s an antidote for it: A do-it-yourself project is known to relieve stress, enrich time at-home, promote quality time with your kids, improve your home and turn March into a productive month. I find that every aisle in every department at Marine Home Center provides stimulation for creativity, and I guarantee you’ll come away with at least one idea for improving your home and the way it serves your needs. Then check out the Window and Door Gallery across the street for innovative ideas you didn’t know were possible. It’s March. Make the most of it.
